Pair of Choctaw pitchers sign with D-I schools (PHOTO GALLERY)

FORT WALTON BEACH - An event 11 years in the making took place at Choctawhatchee High School on Wednesday afternoon.

View a photo gallery from the signings >

From the day they first played together as seven-year-olds, Bryan Baker and Dustin Berrong have been linked on the baseball diamond.

Growing up together, Baker and Berrong have built a bond, playing together as teammates since little league. That bond carries over into the summer with travel baseball and will continue this season when the two hit the field for their senior year at Choctaw.

On Wednesday, with friends, family and supports looking on, the duo signed to play Division-I baseball. And they did it together.

Baker, a 6-foot-7 starting pitcher, signed to play at the University of North Florida, while Berrong, a hard-throwing, submarine-style pitcher, signed his National letter of Intent to play at the University of Southern Mississippi.

“I was really happy that we could sign on the same day,” said Berrong. “We’ve played together since I started playing baseball, so I was glad we could have this day together.”

Baker echoed Berrong’s sentiments, adding, “We’ve been together since we were about seven. It just feels good to be able to both sign scholarships at the same time.”

For Berrong, the choice to attend Southern Miss, who reached the College World Series in 2009, came down to a relationship with the USM coaching staff.

“I just really like the coaches up there,” said Berrong of the USM staff, which is led by head coach Scott Berry. “They made me feel comfortable. I also have some family up in Jackson (Miss.), so it’s nice to know that I’ll have people close by.”

The Golden Eagles, who last won the Conference USA title in 2011, will be getting a hard-throwing, unique right-handed pitcher, who likely projects to be a relief pitcher at the next level. Using his distinct style, Berrong befuddled batters as a junior, earning the Daily News Pitcher of the Year award after posting an 11-1 record with 104 strikeouts and an earned run averaged of .096.

“I just came into the picture in June, but you couldn’t ask for two better arms to build around,” said first-year Choctaw head coach L.C. Smith. “Both of these guys are hard workers and will do well at the next level.”

Baker, whose fastball reached 94 MPH, opted to sign with head coach Smoke Laval at North Florida, citing a perfect fit as the reason.

“When I visited there, it just felt right,” said Baker. As soon as I got there, I felt like this would be a good place to call home.”

A tall, intimidating righty with a blazing fastball, Baker could end up a starter at UNF.

“He throws it hard, can get it up there around 93, 94,” said Smith, “but he’s got a couple of good secondary pitches, too. He throws a good slider, and he’s good a good changeup.”

Sitting together in front of a large crowd at Wednesday’s ceremony, Berrong and Baker each signed with their respective schools as Choctaw administrators looked on.

“Whenever I’d be out there on the football practice field this year, I’d look over at the baseball field and I’d always see the same two guys working out,” said Choctaw athletic director and head football coach Greg Thomas. “It was always these two guys. They’ve both got passion, and athletes who have passion always have a chance to make it.”